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One woman took it to extremes, as her bid to hold a spot for her friend ended in her slapping another woman in the face in broad daylight.

Sonja Eleanor Hoffman pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court last week to one count of common assault, over the dispute which took place on May 21 just after noon on Goondoon St.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Mick O'Rourke told the court the victim reported she had been unable to park in a vacant space, because Hoffman was standing in the middle of the park, swearing at the victim.

As the victim began easing the car into the parking space, Hoffman began kicking the tyres of the car.

The victim wound down the window then Hoffman slapped her in the face, knocking the woman's sunglasses from her face.

Sgt O'Rourke told the court Hoffman admitted to police she had hit the woman, but said she was simply trying to knock her phone from her face.

Defence solicitor Bill McMillan told the court the attack had been sparked by the "perennial difficulty in Gladstone with parking".

He said Hoffman had seen the victim on the phone, indicating she was calling the police, when Hoffman attempted to swipe the phone out of the victim's hand, striking her in the face in the process.

Mr McMillan said Hoffman, in her 60s, suffered a number of ailments and had failed to take her bipolar medication at the time of the assault, and was extremely embarrassed about the incident.

Magistrate Mark Morrow recorded a conviction against Hoffman and ordered her to undergo a nine-month probation order.